Provision of a multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) for a user equipment moving along cells in a cellular mobile communication system

ABSTRACT

Procedures are provided for the establishment of MBMS services in different cells of a cellular telecommunications network, in particular, for maintaining the transmission of MBMS data to a particular user equipment, even when it moves from one cell to another when the service is provided in different ways in different cells. In particular, when a user equipment receives a multimedia data service in a first cell via a certain type of connection (i.e., a point-to-point connection/while requiring an RRC Connection, a point-to-multipoint connection without/while requiring an RRC Connection), and moves to a second cell where the type of connection used to provide the service is different, specific actions are undertaken (e.g., request for an RRC Connection, release of an RRC Connection, etc.), depending on the type of connection change carried out. Embodiments for the establishment of the most adequate connection (p-t-p, p-t-m) in a cell are disclosed as well (e.g., by sending a message from a SRNC to a CRNC).

This invention relates to Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Services (MBMS)in mobile communication systems. More particularly, the inventionrelates to methods for ensuring MBMS service provision for a mobiledevice which is moving between cells in a cellular mobile communicationsystem.

In the third generation telecommunication systems, higher bit-rates areoffered as well as better possibilities for transmitting variable bitrate traffic. For instance, services utilizing different qualityrequirements are possible to multiplex. Such possibilities open up fornew types of services. One of these services that will be included inthe 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standard is a MultimediaBroadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS).

The intention with MBMS is that different users can subscribe tobroadcasting and/or multicasting of multimedia information of differentkinds. An information provider thus transmits the same multimediainformation to a number of users. Since multimedia information typicallyrequires high transfer capabilities, a simultaneousbroadcasting/multicasting of such information will occupy a number oftimes as large transfer capabilities compared with a singletransmission. It is therefore advantageous for the network to determinewhether particular MBMS data must be transmitted continuously, orwhether it can be transmitted discontinuously. Further, it isadvantageous for the network to determine whether particular MBMS datamust be transmitted to specific users (point-to-point transmission), orwhether it can more efficiently be transmitted by point-to-multipointtransmission.

The network must be able to make these determinations on a continuousbasis, depending on the current locations of the users which wish toreceive the particular MBMS data.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, there are provided procedures forthe establishment of MBMS services in different cells of a cellulartelecommunications network. In particular, there are provided proceduresfor maintaining transmission of MBMS data to a particular userequipment, even as it moves from one cell to another, when the serviceis provided in different ways in different cells.

In addition, there is provided suitable hardware for performing theprocedures according to aspects of the invention. The hardware may be inthe form of user equipment, which is adapted to receive MBMS data, orradio network controllers, which are adapted to receive MBMS data andtransmit it to receiving equipment, or core network equipment, which isadapted to establish the required connections to transmit data to thereceiving equipment via the radio network controllers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, maybest be understood by making reference to the following descriptiontaken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a mobilecommunication system;

FIG. 2 is a block scheme of an embodiment of a mobile communicationsystem;

FIG. 3 is an embodiment of a protocol model for a UTRAN in a mobilecommunication system;

FIG. 4 shows the signalling flow in a first procedure carried out in anetwork according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows the signalling flow in a second procedure carried out in anetwork according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows the signalling flow in a third procedure carried out in anetwork according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows the signalling flow in a fourth procedure carried out in anetwork according to the invention;

FIG. 8 shows the signalling flow in a fifth procedure carried out in anetwork according to the invention;

FIG. 9 shows the signalling flow in a sixth procedure carried out in anetwork according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention comes into use mainly in the third generationmobile communication systems. A typical example of such a mobilecommunication system 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1. A core network 10 isprovided with connections 5 to external networks (not shown), such ase.g. PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), ISDN (Integrated ServicesDigital Network) or Internet. The core network 10 is also connected 17to a UTRAN (UMTS Radio Access Network) 20 comprising a number of RadioNetwork Controllers (RNCs) 22A, 22B, 22C over an Iu interface 16. In theillustrated embodiment, the three RNCs 22A, 22B, 22C are interconnected15 by an Iur interface 14.

In the illustrated RNCs 22A, 22B are controlling two base stations 30A-Deach by connections 25 over an Iub interface 24. (In the presentembodiment, the RNC 22C does not directly control any base stations.)The base stations 30A-D are also commonly known as “Node Bs” in the 3GPPspecifications. Each base station 30A-D operates the radio access withina certain geographical area, or cell, 40A-D. User equipment 50A-D moveswithin the coverage of the cells 40A-D and can communicate by radiocommunication 35 via a Uu interface 34 with at least one of the basestations 30A-D. The base stations 30A-D thereby comprise means forcommunication over the radio interface Uu 34 according to prior artwithin this field. Similarly, the user equipments 50A-D comprises meansfor communication over the radio interface Uu 34 according to prior artwithin this field. The details of these devices and methods are notessential for the understanding of the present invention and arefurthermore easily available in standard literature. The User EquipmentUE 50A-D typically comprises mobile equipment 51, e.g. a mobile phone ora portable computer, and a user SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card52.

The internal communication of a mobile communication system 1 accordingto FIG. 1 is easier to overview if the system 1 is illustrated in analternative manner, as in FIG. 2. Here the four fundamentalsubnetworks—the external networks 2, the core network 10, the UTRAN 20and the UE 50. The external networks 2 may comprise more traditionaltelephony networks based on circuit switched technology 3, such as PLMN(Public Land Mobile Network), PSTN or ISDN. The external networks 2 mayalso comprise packet based communication networks 4, such as theInternet.

The core network 10 comprises in this embodiment a GMSC (Gateway MobileSwitching Centre) 18, which is a switch at the point where all circuitswitched connections to and from external networks pass. A MSC/VLR(Mobile Services Switching Centre/Visitor Location Register) 11,connected to the GMSC 18, is a switch and database that serves the UEfor circuit switched services when the UE is within the range of a RNC22 of the UTRAN 20 connected to the core network 10. The MSC function isused to switch the circuit switched calls. The VLR function holds tracke.g. of the visiting user's service profile. The MSC/VLR 11 and the GMSC18 are also connected to a HLR (Home Location Register) 13, which is adatabase located in the user's home system comprising a master copy ofthe user's service profile. The service profile comprises e.g.information about allowed services, supplementary service informationand will in the case of MBMS also comprise information about suchservices. The HLR 13 stores the UE 50 location on the level of MSC/VLRand/or SGSN.

The core network 10 also comprises nodes connected to GPRS (GeneralPacket Radio Service). A GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) 19 is a switchat the point where all data packet traffic to and from external networkspass. The GGSN 19 is connected to a SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) 12.The functionality of the SGSN 12 is similar as for the MSC/VLR 11, butfor packet switched services. The SGSN 12 and the GGSN 19 are alsoconnected to the HLR 13. There might also be an optional interfacebetween the MSC/VLR 11 and the SGSN 12.

The core network 10 communicates via the Iu interface 17 with the UTRAN20. In this embodiment, the UTRAN 20 is illustrated to comprise two RNCs22, interconnected by the Iur interface 14. Each RNC 22 has as in FIG. 1control of Node Bs 30, which in turn communicate with the UE 50. A RNC22 and associated Node Bs constitute together a Radio Network Subsystem(RNS) 26.

The RNC 22 is the network element responsible for the control of theradio resources of UTRAN 20. It interfaces the CN 10 and also terminatesa Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol that defines the messages andprocedures between the mobile 50 and the UTRAN 20. Within the UTRAN 20,a RNC 22 can take up different roles, e.g. as a Serving RNC (SRNC), aDrift RNC (DRNC) or a Controlling RNC (CRNC).

A CRNC is always directly associated with one or more Node Bs 30. TheCRNC is responsible for the load and congestion control of its own cellsand executes the admission control and code allocation for new radiolinks to be established in those cells. The CRNC thus terminates the Iubinterface 24 towards the Node B 30.

In the 3GPP standard, a UE can use resources for the UE-to-UTRANconnection from more than one RNC. The RNCs available in the UTRAN willthen play different roles with respect to that particular UE. A SRNC fora particular mobile is a RNC that terminates both the Iu link for thetransport of user data and the corresponding signalling to and from thecore network related to radio access. The SRNC terminates further radioresource control signalling between the UE and the UTRAN. The SRNC maybe a CRNC, but not necessarily. However, a specific UE has one and onlyone SRNC.

A DRNC is any other RNC that controls cells used by the UE. A DRNC of aUE is consequently always different from the SRNC of that specific UE.The DRNC routes data between the Iub and Iur interfaces. A certain UEmay therefore have zero, one or more DRNCs.

One physical RNC normally contains all the CRNC, SRNC and DRNCfunctionalities. Furthermore, a SRNC associated with a certain UE maysimultaneously be a DRNC for another UE.

A general protocol model for UTRAN terrestrial interfaces is illustratedin FIG. 3. The protocol structure 100 consists of two main layers, aradio network layer 101 and a transport network layer 103. AllUTRAN-specific issues are visible only in the radio network layer. Theprotocol structure 100 is also divided into vertical planes, a controlplane 105 and a user plane 107. The control plane 105 and the user plane107 are therefore present in both layers 101, 103. Furthermore, atransport network control plane 106 is additionally available in thetransport network layer 103.

The control plane 105 is used for all UMTS control signalling. Itincludes an application protocol 111 and a signalling bearer 113 fortransporting application protocol messages. The application protocol 111is typically used for setting up bearers to the UE, e.g. radio accessbearer in the Iu interface and radio links in the Iur and Iubinterfaces.

The user plane 107 is instead responsible for the transmission of allactual information to the user, e.g. in the form of coded voice orgeneral data packets. The user plane 107 includes data streams 115 anddata bearers 117 for the data streams 115. Each data stream 115 ischaracterized by at least one protocol specified for that particularinterface.

The transport network control plane 106 is used for all controlsignalling within the transport layer and acts therefore between thecontrol plane 105 and the user plane 107.

The MBMS is a service offered by a content provider to subscribers ofsuch a service that comprises synchronized broadcasting and/ormulticasting of multimedia information to a number of users.

The present invention does not relate to data transfer in the corenetwork as such. Therefore the provision of the MBMS data from a contentprovider to a suitable SGSN is performed according to any suitableprior-art solution and is not described more in detail. In the followingdescription, it is therefore assumed that at least one SGSN has therequested MBMS data from the particular broadcast/multicast servicecenter available in one way or the other, e.g. via an GGSN as an entrypoint. The role of the SGSN is in this context to perform userindividual network control functions and to provide MBMS transmissionsto the radio access network.

It is also assumed herein that, since the handling of multi-castservices and broadcast services is identical for the UTRAN, there is noneed to differentiate between them.

The transmission of an MBMS service in the UTRAN on the Uu interface tothe UE can be effected as: point-to-point (PTP) transmission;point-to-multipoint (PTM) Continuous transmission; point-to-multipoint(PTM) Discontinuous transmission; or with either PTP or PTMDiscontinuous transmission available. Each of these possibilities isdescribed in more detail below.

In the case of point-to-point (PTP) transmission, those UEs that want toreceive a certain MBMS service will receive the information viapoint-to-point radio links.

In the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) domain, that is, transparent to theUTRAN, the UE indicates that it wants to receive a certain MBMS service.As a result, the CN establishes a normal RAB towards this specific UEwhich will carry the MBMS data.

Since only point-to-point transmission is used in this alternative thereis no need to have the UTRAN aware that there are transmissions ongoingrelated to a broadcast/multicast service.

In the case of PTM Continuous transmission, Continuous PTM transmissionof a certain MBMS service is configured in certain service areas(cells).

The PTM transmission is in this alternative is not dependent on e.g. theuser load in the cell concerned.

This alternative is most suitable for MBMS service provisioning in areaswhere the likelihood of a significant number of interested UEs is high.

In the case of PTM Discontinuous transmission, a certain MBMS servicealways uses PTM transmission. However, the PTM transmission will beturned on only if there is at least one UE in a cell interested inreceiving the MBMS service. If no UE in a cell is interested in acertain MBMS service, the relevant PTM transmission will be switchedoff.

This avoids some of the disadvantages of PTM Continuous transmission,because there is no transmission when no UE is receiving, but it doesnot provide the same flexibility as the alternative described below.

In the case of the situation where PTP and PTM Discontinuoustransmission are both available, a certain MBMS service will be providedbased on PTP transmission if the number of UE's that wants to receivethis MBMS service in a specific cell [#(MBMSx interested UE's)] is low.When, but only when, the number of receiving UE's in a certain cellexceeds a certain threshold TR_(PTP<->PTM), the UTRAN will switch to PTMtransmission in that cell.

This behaviour is reflected in the following expressions:If #(MBMSx interested UE's)=0=>No MBMS transmissionIf TR_(PTP<->PTM)>#(MBMSx interested UE's)>0=>PTP MBMS transmissionIf #(MBMSx interested UE's)>TR_(PTP<->PTM)=>PTM MBMS transmission

PTP transmission will always provide the most radio resource efficienttransmission if only one UE in a cell is interested in a certain MBMSservice. Using a sensible value for TR_(PTP<->PTM), this alternativewill provide the most radio-resource efficient solution compared to theother alternatives listed here. TR_(PTP<->PTM) is assumed to have atypical value between 2 and 5.

Given the MBMS transmission alternatives, discussed above, on the Uuinterface, it is also necessary to consider the necessary MBMSTransmission Modes on the Iu interface from the Core Network to theUTRAN, and whether the Core Network needs to be aware of and/or supportthe selected transmission alternative.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, point-to-multipointtransmission is realised in the Radio Access Network by using the FACHtransport channel. The FACH transport channel is a common channel forwhich (power) control and scheduling are completely handled by the CRNC.

In the case of continuous PTM transmission, the UTRAN does not need tobe aware of how many UEs are interested in a specific MBMS service inthe cell. Stated differently: the UTRAN does not need to track userswhich want to receive a certain MBMS. That is, it does not need be awareof the cell in which such users are located. As a result, no involvementof SRNC's is required.

This is different for the cases where discontinuous transmission ispossible. In these cases, the UTRAN does need to be aware of the numberof UEs that want to receive a certain MBMS service in a cell, in orderto switch transmissions on and off, or to switch between PTP and PTMtransmission (in the case where both are available). In thesealternatives, the UTRAN needs to be able to track UEs receiving acertain MBMS service.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, where it is necessaryfor the UTRAN to be aware of the number of users that want to receive aspecific MBMS service, the counting by the UTRAN is based on:

-   -   UE-specific RAB's established towards these UEs, and    -   Mobility monitoring based on RRC connection related signalling.

This approach is assumed to minimise the required impact on the userequipment and the UTRAN, while still resulting in acceptableperformance.

Since it is the SRNC that handles the signalling on the Iu interface fora specific UE, and it is the SRNC that handles the RRC connectiontowards a specific UE, the CN therefore needs to involve SRNCs in theMBMS handling when discontinuous transmission is available. CRNCs mayalso be involved in this case since the PTM transmission is handled bythe CRNC.

Summarising the above, the CN needs to distinguish between two modes,which can be referred to as MBMS Fixed transmission mode, and MBMSVariable transmission mode.

In MBMS Fixed transmission mode:

-   -   CN only needs to inform CRNCs of the cells corresponding to a        certain service area about a certain MBMS service;    -   CN does not enable the UTRAN to track MBMS users;    -   UTRAN is only able to use point-to-multipoint (PTM) Continuous        transmission.

In MBMS Variable transmission mode:

-   -   CN needs to inform the SRNC of a UE that wants to receive a        specific MBMS service;    -   CN enables UTRAN to track MBMS users in RRC Connected Mode;    -   UTRAN is able to use discontinuous transmission (either        point-to-multipoint, or with point-to-multipoint and        point-to-point alternatives both available) for users in RRC        Connected Mode;    -   UTRAN is unable to track MBMS users in RRC Idle Mode, but it is        also able to use point-to-multipoint (PTM) Continuous        transmission for such users.

Thus, if the UTRAN detects certain areas in which there are always asufficient number of UEs to justify PTM transmission, it should bepossible for the UTRAN to use point-to-multipoint (PTM) Continuoustransmission in those cells. UEs should be able to detect if an RRCconnection is required in a cell for receiving a specific MBMS service,and take the corresponding action.

Thus, although as mentioned above, it is assumed that the UTRAN does notneed to differentiate between broadcast and multicast services, inpreferred embodiments of the invention an MBMS broadcast service willonly use the Fixed transmission mode so that it becomes availablewithout requiring any RRC connection. An MBMS multicast service coulduse either the Fixed transmission mode or the Variable transmissionmode.

FIG. 4 shows the signalling in a case in which the CN requests the UTRANto provide a transmission of a certain MBMS service in the fixedtransmission mode, in a particular area.

In step 401, a PDP context is activated between the UE and the CN and,in step 402, the UE sends an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)Join Request to the CN. These steps are transparent for the UTRAN. Theyare only required in the case of an MBMS multicast service, not in thecase of an MBMS broadcast service.

In step 403, when there is data to be transmitted in the requested MBMSservice, the CN will initiate the MBMS ACTIVATION REQUEST. There couldbe a significant period without any data transmission, and so this stepcould occur quite some time after specific UE's have sent an IGMP JoinRequest. In this illustrated embodiment of the invention, the MBMSACTIVATION REQUEST identifies the MBMS service by the combination of theAccess Point Name (APN) (that is, the DNS name of the intended AccessPoint, which may for example be a GGSN, including identifiers for theoperator and network) and the IP multicast address. The relatively long(30-40 bytes) APN is required since different networks (or differentbroadcast centres) may use the same IP MC address. In other embodimentsof the invention, a shorter identity may be used.

In step 404, the RNC will immediately initiate the bearer establishmentprocedure if it was not already receiving the data. If Iu-flex is notconfigured, the RNC will only be aware of one SGSN. If Iu-flex isconfigured, the RNC may know multiple SGSNs. In this case the RNC cansend the message to any SGSN it knows. It is therefore assumed that anySGSN the RNC knows is able to provide the data for any requested MBMSservice.

In step 405, the CN sends the MBMS bearer establish response to theCRNC.

In step 406, the CRNC begins transmission of point-to-multipointtransmission on the Uu interface to the interested UEs. It is assumedthat the UE on its own will be able to detect the MBMS servicetransmission in the relevent cells. If the UE has joined the MBMSservice and has received the correct keys, it will be able to receivethe MBMS service without any further CN or UTRAN support.

Thus, whenever there is a PTM transmission for a certain MBMS serviceongoing in a cell, a UE needs to be able to detect this transmission andreceive it, whether it is in RRC Idle mode or RRC Connected Mode.Moreover, whenever there is a PTM transmission for a certain MBMSservice ongoing in a cell, a UE needs to be able to determine if it isrequired to establish an RRC connection in order to ensure the PTMtransmission, or if no RRC connection is required.

If there is no ongoing PTM transmission for a certain MBMS service, itis not required for the UE to be able to distinguish between a cell inwhich the MBMS service information can be provided and a cell in whichthe MBMS service X cannot be provided.

At least three different steps can be discerned in the MBMS relatedinformation that needs to be sent over the Uu. Firstly, the CRNC mustbroadcast configuration information regarding ongoing PTM MBMS datatransmission. Secondly, the CRNC needs to page UEs in the event ofactual data transfer. Thirdly, the CRNC needs to perform the actual MBMSdata transfer.

A new MBMS System Information Block (SIB) should preferably be definedfor the purpose of configuration. The MBMS SIB would contain for eachMBMS service broadcast in the cell the following information:

-   -   IP MC address    -   Physical channel (S-CCPCH) related information    -   Transport channel (FACH) related information    -   Logical channel related information    -   multicast Radio Network Temporary Identifier (MC-RNTI), which        temporarily identifies the group of UEs

The MBMS SIB therefore configures the MBMS Radio Bearer carrying theMBMS data in the cell, when using PTM data transmission. In general,this information should not then be changed too frequently, since SIBupdating requires sending notifications to all UEs.

In a UE-power-efficient solution, UEs should not be mandated to have tomonitor the relevant FACH channel continuously if there is no ongoingtransmission of the relevant MBMS service. This can be achieved by meansof a fixed timing scheme, or by using paging.

Thus, in the case of fixed timing, every MBMS service could only beallowed to start transmission at certain frame positions. A UE receivingthis MBMS service would only have to start listening at these instances.If nothing is received in the relevant radio frame, the UE can go tosleep again until the next possible scheduling occasion.

Alternatively, paging can be used to inform the UE when to listen to theFACH channel. The MBMS paging should be specific to a specific MBMSservice. The current UE-specific paging can be made suitable for MBMSpaging either by allocation of a RNTI per MBMS service, or by using the12 remaining bits on the Paging Indicator channel (PICH).

The actual data transfer in step 406 is assumed to be transported overthe FACH channel and uses a special MC-RNTI. One possible logicalchannel which could be used is a Common Traffic channel (CTCH).

Finally, in FIG. 4, step 407 shows the CRNC sending an MBMS activationresponse to the CN as acknowledgement.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the de-activation scenario for the fixedtransmission case.

In step 501, the CN sends a MBMS deactivation request to the CRNC,identifying the specific MBMS service by means of the MC address. TheCRNC responds by stopping PTM transmission on the Uu interface, in step502, and by sending an MBMS bearer release request to the CN in step503. The CN replies in step 504 with an MBMS bearer release response,and the process concludes in step 505, with the CRNC sending adeactivation response to the CN as acknowledgement.

FIG. 6 shows the signalling flow in a case in which the CN requests theUTRAN to provide a transmission of a certain MBMS service in thevariable transmission mode.

In step 601, a PDP context is activated between the UE and the CN and,in step 602, the UE sends an IGMP Join Request to the CN. The IGMP JoinRequest has no confirmation at IGMP level, but will be confirmed withother NAS signalling (transparent to UTRAN).

Incidentally, it is assumed that the CN will configure the serviceprovision that a particular MBMS service may or may not be available ina particular area. This may cause difficulties when the UE performs theIGMP join in an area where the service is not provided, or when the UEperformed the join in an area where the service is provided, but thenpasses into an area where the service is not provided. Taking the UElocation into account would make the handling of the IGMP join verycomplicated. Therefore, in the presently preferred embodiment of theinvention, the handling of the IGMP join is decoupled from the questionof whether the UE is in fact in an area where it can receive theservice. As a result, it is theoretically possible that the UE mightperform a successful IGMP join, but still not receive the service data,and the CN should configure the service areas such that this is anunlikely case.

In step 603, when there is data to be transmitted in the requested MBMSservice, the CN will send the MBMS ACTIVATION REQUEST to the relevantSRNC. There could be a significant period without any data transmission,and so this step could occur quite some time after specific UE's havesent an IGMP Join Request. In this illustrated embodiment of theinvention, the MBMS ACTIVATION REQUEST identifies the MBMS service bythe combination of the APN (that is, the DNS name including identifiersfor the operator and network) and the IP multicast address. Therelatively long (30-40 bytes) APN is required since different networks(or different broadcast centres) may use the same IP MC address. Inother embodiments of the invention, a shorter identity may be used.

Before establishing the user plane over Iu, the SRNC first checks if theCRNC wants to provide the MBMS-service based on a PTM transmission.Thus, in step 604, the SRNC sends an MBMS attach request to the CRNC,identifying the requesting UE and the multicast address. In step 605,the CRNC sends a MBMS attach response to the SRNC, and, in this example,the CRNC indicates that it intends to provide PTP transmission of thisMBMS service.

Assuming that the SRNC does not already provide the requested MBMSservice to any UE, it triggers a bearer establishment procedure in step606, by sending a MBMS bearer establishment request to the CN. In step607, the CN then sends the MBMS bearer establish response to the SRNC.

The SRNC may need to reconfigure the existing radio links in order to beable to handle the additional transmission and, if so, sends a radiolink reconfiguration request to the CRNC in step 608, to which the CRNCresponds in step 609.

In step 610, the SRNC begins PTP transmission of the MBMS service dataon the Uu interface. Then, after the transmission of the relevant MBMSservice has started, in step 611, the UTRAN confirms user specificactivation to the CN.

FIG. 7 shows the signalling flow in an alternative scenario in which theCN requests the UTRAN to provide a transmission of a certain MBMSservice in the variable transmission mode.

In step 701, a PDP context is activated between the UE and the CN and,in step 702, the UE sends an IGMP Join Request to the CN. The IGMP JoinRequest has no confirmation at IGMP level, but will be confirmed withother NAS signalling (transparent to UTRAN).

In step 703, when there is data to be transmitted in the requested MBMSservice, the CN will send the MBMS ACTIVATION REQUEST to the relevantSRNC. There could be a significant period without any data transmission,and so this step could occur quite some time after specific UE's havesent an IGMP Join Request. In this illustrated embodiment of theinvention, the MBMS ACTIVATION REQUEST identifies the MBMS service bythe combination of the APN (that is, the DNS name including identifiersfor the operator and network) and the IP multicast address. Therelatively long (30-40 bytes) APN is required since different networks(or different broadcast centres) may use the same IP MC address. Inother embodiments of the invention, a shorter identity may be used.

Before establishing the user plane over Iu, the SRNC first checks if theCRNC wants to provide the MBMS-service based on a PTM transmission.Thus, in step 704, the SRNC sends an MBMS attach request to the CRNC,identifying the requesting UE and the multicast address.

In this illustrated example, the CRNC indicates that it intends toprovide PTM transmission of this particular MBMS service, but is not yetproviding the MBMS service to any UE (it will be appreciated that thisis a relatively unlikely combination). Therefore, in step 705, the CRNCtriggers a bearer establishment procedure. In step 706, the CN thensends the MBMS bearer establish response to the CRNC.

In step 707, the SRNC begins PTM transmission of the MBMS service dataon the Uu interface. Then, after the transmission of the relevant MBMSservice has started, the UTRAN confirms user specific activation to theCN, by means of a MBMS attach response from the CRNC to the SRNC in step708 and a MBMS user activation response in step 709.

As discussed above, there will be areas (cells) in which a UE isrequired to have an RRC connection when receiving MBMS information(discontinuous PTP or PTM transmission) and areas where such an RRCconnection is not required (continuous PTM transmission). The questionthen arises as to how to handle situations in the case of movement of aUE, receiving a MBMS service, between two cells, where this requirementis different for the two cells. The preferred embodiment of the presentinvention provides the following capabilities.

When the UE passes from a first cell with PTM transmission, where an RRCConnection is not required, to a second cell with PTM transmission,where an RRC Connection is again not required, all that is necessary isfor the UE to read the new broadcast information and tune to the correctFACH. No UTRAN involvement is required.

When the UE passes from a first cell with PTM transmission, where an RRCConnection is required, to a second cell with PTM transmission, where anRRC Connection is again required, the UE is required to perform theconventional procedure for changing cells when in RRC Connected mode,and then read the MBMS broadcast information.

When the UE passes from a first cell with PTM transmission, where an RRCConnection is required, to a second cell with PTM transmission, where anRRC Connection is not required, the necessary action depends on thereason why the UE had its the RRC connection established. If the RRCconnection was established for another reason in addition to receivingthe MBMS service, e.g. for a speech call, the RRC connection will remainas normal.

When the UE only has the RRC connection for enabling the reception ofthe MBMS service, no Radio Bearer (RB) will have been establishedtowards the UE, although a Radio Access Bearer (RAB) exists. In thiscase, only the Signalling Radio Bearers (SRBs), used for RRC and NASsignalling, but not for data transfer, will be configured. FIG. 8 showsa signalling flow in this case.

In step 801, the UE originally has a signalling connection (as well asthe RRC connection), and sends a SIGNALLING CONNECTION RELEASEINDICATION message to the SRNC. This message is already defined in theUMTS standard, for use in rare error cases (e.g. MSC restart with lossof UE context), but is also preferably used in this case. Preferably,the message includes an Information Element (IE) indicating the cause ofthe message.

In step 802, since the UE is moving to RRC Idle mode, the SRNC role nolonger needs to be fulfilled for this UE. Therefore the Iu connectionfor this UE can be removed, and the SRNC sends a RRC connection releaserequest to the UE. In step 803, the UE responds by sending a RRCconnection release complete message.

The UE will be able to configure a MBMS Radio Bearer from the MBMS SIBbeing broadcast in the second cell. Then, in step 804, while the CRNCcontinues sending the PTM transmission of the MBMS data on the Uuinterface to the UE, the SRNC sends an Iu release request to the CN,specifying the cause that the UE has moved into an area where an RRCconnection is no longer required. As a result of this step, an SGSNmight get data from a GGSN, but it does not have to deliver it to anyRNC.

In step 805, the CN sends the Iu release command to the SRNC, whichresponds in step 806 with an Iu release complete message. In step 807,if the SRNC no longer needs the corresponding bearer, a bearer releasewill be requested. (Of course, the CRNC is still receiving the MBMS datafor the relevant service.) The procedure completes in step 808, when theCN sends the MBMS bearer release response to the SRNC.

When the UE passes from a first cell with PTM transmission, where an RRCConnection is not required, to a second cell with PTM transmission,where an RRC Connection is required, the UE receiving the MBMS servicein RRC Idle mode now detects that an RRC connection is required.

FIG. 9 shows the signalling required to establish the RRC Connection. Itwill be noted that FIG. 9 assumes that PTM transmission is alreadyongoing in the cell to which the UE is moving.

In step 901, the UE will initiate RRC Connection establishment. Themessage preferably includes a new cause value. In step 902, the SRNCresponds with a RRC Connection setup message and, in step 903, the UEresponds with a RRC Connection setup complete message.

Then, in step 904, the UE contacts the CN to trigger the UE-specificMBMS activation. In one embodiment of the invention, a normal RoutingArea Update (RAU) is used for this purpose. In another embodiment of theinvention, a service request is sent. In one embodiment, the NAS messageindicates for each MBMS service whether or not an MBMS ACTIVATION REQ isneeded. In an alternative embodiment, the CN performs an activation forall MBMS services ongoing towards this UE. In the remainder of FIG. 9,it is assumed that at least one activation is required.

In step 905, the required Iu signalling connection is required. Then, instep 906, an MBMS activation request is sent. In step 908, the SRNCsends the MBMS user activation response to the CN. Meanwhile, in step907, the SRNC has been continuing the PTM transmission, which can now bereceived by the UE in the new cell.

The UE may pass from a first cell with PTP transmission, where an RRCConnection is required, to a second cell with PTM transmission, where anRRC Connection is not required.

In different embodiments of the invention, different entities may detectthat the RRC connection is no longer required. Thus, in one embodimentof the invention, the SRNC detects that the RRC connection is no longerrequired. This is achieved by the SRNC by doing the attach to the DRNC,and the DRNC then telling the SRNC that it is already providing theservice with a PTM to the UE and that no RRC connection is required. Inthat case, the SRNC can then inform the UE that it should start toreceive the MBMS service via the PTM transmission and release the PTPRAB and possibly the RRC connection. (The SRNC can instead decide tomaintain the RRC Connection, even though there is no immediaterequirement for it.) This option is simpler from the point of view ofthe UE, but requires that the SRNC is aware of the ongoing MBMSservices.

In another embodiment of the invention, the UE detects that the RRCconnection is no longer required. By monitoring the MBMS SIB, the UE canthen detect that the RRC connection is no longer required for thisservice, and triggers the release of the RRC connection. This is simplerfor the UTRAN, but requires that the UE be able to monitor the MBMS SIBeven in a “CELL_DCH” state. In the “CELL_DCH” state, the UTRAN(specifically the SRNC) determines which cell the UE should use. The UEhas a dedicated channel, but this requires that the UE should also beable to read the common channel (that is, the BCH or FACH) on which theMBMS SIB is transmitted, in parallel with the dedicated channel, andtherefore requires more complexity in the UE.

The question of detecting the status also arises in the case of a UEwith a speech call moving between cells where the MBMS service istransmitted with PTM transmission. In some embodiments of the invention,the UE detects the PTM transmission; in other embodiments, the SRNCinforms the UE about it.

The UE may pass from a first cell with PTP transmission, where an RRCConnection is required, to a second cell with PTM transmission, where anRRC Connection is required. Conversely, the UE may pass from a firstcell with PTM transmission, where an RRC Connection is required, to asecond cell with PTP transmission, where an RRC Connection is required.In either case, the change is handled by means of RRC Reconfigurationmessages under control of UTRAN.

The UE may pass from a first cell with PTM transmission, where an RRCConnection is not required, to a second cell with PTP transmission,where an RRC Connection is required. This is handled in the same way asdescribed above, when the UE passes from a first cell with PTMtransmission, where an RRC Connection is not required, to a second cellwith PTM transmission, where an RRC Connection is required, except thata dedicated channel is established.

Finally, the UE may pass from a first cell with PTP transmission, wherean RRC Connection is required, to a second cell with PTP transmission,where an RRC Connection is again required. According to the presentinvention, this is handled in the UTRAN, in the same way as aconventional UE mobility procedure in CELL_DCH state, except that theDRNC additionally informs the SRNC that it does not want to provide theMBMS service on a PTM basis.

Procedures exist by which the CN can inform the UTRAN about the start orstopping of transmission for all UEs receiving this MBMS service. Thissignalling will exist between BMSC, GGSN and SGSN. According topreferred embodiments of the present invention, the signalling triggersa release of the user plane resource while still keeping the MBMScontexts in the network, so that an easy later continuation of theservice is possible.

In some embodiments of a network in accordance with the presentinvention, only CRNC's are provided with MBMS functionality. Theyprovide the MBMS service with a fixed PTM transmission (the MBMS Fixedtransmission mode described above). In addition, MBMS services with anexpected low number of interested UEs can be handled with PTPtransmission. This has the advantage that it has limited impact on theUTRAN, and specifically means that the SRNC does not need to be MBMSaware. PTM is available for MBMS services with expected high number ofreceiving UEs, while PTP is available for MBMS services with expectedlow number of receiving UEs, and there is support for reception in RRCidle mode in PTM areas. However, each MBMS service is provided eitheralways on a PTP basis or always on a PTM basis, requiring the CN toestimate the expected average number of receiving UEs.

In other embodiments of a network in accordance with the presentinvention, all UTRAN RNC's are upgraded to become MBMS aware, and MBMSservices are provided based on PTM, but the transmission can be turnedon or off based on the number of receiving UEs. This has the advantagethat there is no unnecessary PTM transmission if no interested UE ispresent, while there is support for reception in RRC idle mode in PTMareas with continuous PTM transmission. However, all UTRAN RNCs (SRNCsand CRNCs) need to become MBMS aware, and only PTM is supported.

In other embodiments of a network in accordance with the presentinvention, all UTRAN RNC's are upgraded to become MBMS aware, and MBMSservices can be provided based on PTP or on continuous PTM transmissionin configured areas. This has the advantage that an MBMS service can beprovided either by PTP or by PTM in one cell, based on the expectednumber of UEs in that cell, and that there is support for reception inRRC idle mode in PTM areas. However, all UTRAN RNCs (SRNCs and CRNCs)need to become MBMS aware, and there is no switching between PTP and PTMin one cell.

However, in the most preferred embodiments a network in accordance withthe present invention, all UTRAN RNC's are upgraded to become MBMSaware, and all of the transmission alternatives discussed above arepossible. This has the advantage that it provides the best solution fromthe point of view of radio efficiency, and supports reception in RRCidle mode in PTM areas with continuous PTM transmission. However, it isthe most complex solution.

Based on the above, it should be clear that, when the CN wants toprovide a certain MBMS service, it has to configure the UTRAN withinformation regarding the service areas in which this MBMS serviceshould be provided with a fixed transmission mode, and in which serviceareas the MBMS service can be provided with a variable transmissionmode. This configuration phase of the UTRAN for a specific MBMS servicewill be UE independent.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and changes may be made to the present invention withoutdeparture from the scope thereof, which is defined by the appendedclaims.

1. A method of providing a multimedia data service, for user equipmentwhich is capable of movement amongst a plurality of cells served byrespective base stations of a radio access network, comprising:providing the multimedia data service to each of said cells (a) on apoint-to-multipoint basis without requiring a Radio Resource Controlconnection, (b) on a point-to-multipoint basis while requiring a RadioResource Control connection, or (c) on a point-to-point basis; andcontrolling at least one Radio Network Controller such that, when a userequipment moves from a first cell to a second cell, it is detectedwhether a Radio Resource Control connection is required in the secondcell, and a suitable connection is established in said second cell toallow said user equipment to receive the multimedia data service,wherein at least one of the first and second cells provides themultimedia data service on a point-to-multipoint basis without requiringa Radio Resource Control connection.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1,wherein, when the user equipment moves from a first cell in which themultimedia data service is provided on a point-to-multipoint basis whilerequiring a Radio Resource Control connection, to a second cell in whichthe multimedia data service is provided on a point-to-multipoint basiswithout requiring a Radio Resource Control connection, the methodcomprises: sending a SIGNALLING CONNECTION RELEASE INDICATION messagefrom the user equipment to the serving Radio Network Controller.
 3. Amethod as claimed in claim 2, wherein the SIGNALLING CONNECTION RELEASEINDICATION message indicates the movement of the user equipment intosaid second cell as the cause of the request.
 4. A method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein, when the user equipment moves from a first cell inwhich the multimedia data service is provided on a point-to-multipointbasis while requiring a Radio Resource Control connection, to a secondcell in which the multimedia data service is provided on apoint-to-multipoint basis without requiring a Radio Resource Controlconnection, the method comprises: releasing the Radio Resource Controlconnection of said user equipment, such that said user equipment nolonger requires a serving Radio Network Controller; continuingpoint-to-multipoint transmission of the multimedia data service datafrom a controlling Radio Network Controller for said user equipment; andreleasing an Iu interface between a previous serving Radio NetworkController and said controlling Radio Network Controller for said userequipment.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:determining whether said previous serving Radio Network Controller stillrequires a bearer connection to receive said multimedia data servicedata; and if not, releasing said bearer connection.
 6. A method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein, when the user equipment moves from a firstcell in which the multimedia data service is provided on apoint-to-multipoint basis without requiring a Radio Resource Controlconnection, to a second cell in which the multimedia data service isprovided on a point-to-multipoint basis while requiring a Radio ResourceControl connection or on a point-to-point basis while requiring a RadioResource Control connection, the method comprises: sending a request fora Radio Resource Control connection from the user equipment to theserving Radio Network Controller.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 6,wherein the request for a Radio Resource Control connection indicatesthe movement of the user equipment into said second cell as the cause ofthe request.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the userequipment moves from a first cell in which the multimedia data serviceis provided on a point-to-multipoint basis without requiring a RadioResource Control connection, to a second cell in which the multimediadata service is provided on a point-to-multipoint basis while requiringa Radio Resource Control connection or on a point-to-point basis whilerequiring a Radio Resource Control connection, the method comprises:establishing a Radio Resource Control connection for said userequipment; and said user equipment directly contacting a core network totrigger activation of the multimedia data service for said userequipment.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said userequipment contacts said core network by means of a Routing Area Updatemessage.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein, when themultimedia data service in the second cell is provided on apoint-to-point basis while requiring a Radio Resource Controlconnection, further comprising a dedicated channel for transmission ofsaid multimedia data service data to said user equipment.
 11. A methodas claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the user equipment moves from afirst cell in which the multimedia data service is provided on a pointto-multipoint basis without requiring a Radio Resource Controlconnection, to a second cell in which the multimedia data service isprovided on a point to-multipoint basis while requiring a Radio ResourceControl connection or on a point-to-point basis while requiting a RadioResource Control connection, the method comprises: establishing a RadioResource Control connection for said user equipment, such that said userequipment requires a serving Radio Network Controller; said userequipment directly contacting a core network to trigger activation ofthe multimedia data service for said user equipment; and establishing anIur interface between a serving Radio Network Controller and acontrolling Radio Network Controller for said user equipment.
 12. Amethod as claimed in claim 11, wherein, when the multimedia data servicein the second cell is provided on a paint-to-multipoint basis whilerequiring a Radio Resource Control connection, the method furthercomprising: establishing a bearer connection from the core network tosaid serving Radio Network Controller for multimedia data service data;and transmitting the multimedia data service data on apoint-to-multipoint basis from said serving Radio Network Controller.13. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein, when the multimedia dataservice in the second cell is provided on a point-to-point basis whilerequiring a Radio Resource Control connection, the method furthercomprising: establishing a bearer connection from the core network tosaid serving Radio Network Controller for multimedia data service data;and establishing a dedicated channel for transmitting the multimediadata service data on a point-to-point basis from said serving RadioNetwork Controller to said user equipment.
 14. A method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein, when the user equipment moves from a first cell inwhich the multimedia data service is provided on a point-to-point basiswhile requiring a Radio Resource Control connection, to a second cell inwhich the multimedia data service is provided on a point-to-multipointbasis without requiring a Radio Resource Control connection, the methodcomprises: detecting in a serving Radio Network Controller that theRadio Resource Control connection is no longer required.
 15. A method asclaimed in claim 14, wherein the step of detecting in the serving RadioNetwork Controller that the Radio Resource Control connection is nolonger required comprises: performing an attach from the serving RadioNetwork Controller to a drift Radio Network Controller; and said driftRadio Network Controller informing said serving Radio Network Controllerthat it is already providing the multimedia data service withoutrequiring a Radio Resource Control connection.
 16. A method as claimedin claim 14, wherein the serving Radio Network Controller informs theuser equipment that it should receive the multimedia data service dataon a point-to-multipoint basis.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 14,wherein the serving Radio Network Controller informs the user equipmentthat it should release its existing radio access bearer for the receiptof the multimedia data service data on a point-to-point basis.
 18. Amethod as claimed in claim 14, wherein the serving Radio NetworkController informs the user equipment that it should release itsexisting Radio Resource Control connection.
 19. A method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein, when the user equipment moves from a first cell inwhich the multimedia data service is provided on a point-to-point basiswhile requiring a Radio Resource Control connection, to a second cell inwhich the multimedia data service is provided on a point-to-multipointbasis without requiring a Radio Resource Control connection, the methodcomprises: detecting in the user equipment that the Radio ResourceControl connection is no longer required.
 20. A method as claimed inclaim 19, wherein the step of detecting in the user equipment that theRadio Resource Control connection is no longer required comprisesmonitoring a multimedia data service System Information Block (SIB). 21.A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising releasing theexisting Radio Resource Control connection.
 22. A method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein, when the user equipment moves from a first cell inwhich the multimedia data service is provided on a point-to-multipointbasis without requiring a Radio Resource Control connection, to a secondcell in which the multimedia data service is also provided on apoint-to-multipoint basis without requiring a Radio Resource Controlconnection, the method comprises: the user equipment reading thebroadcast information relating to the multimedia data service and tuningto a channel on which the data is being transmitted.